Dragster Night returns Aug. 27: Here are 3 things to know

Monday

Dragster Night is a popular night of the weekly summer Massillon cruise-ins.

MASSILLON Have you ever heard the roar of a drag race car engine? In person?

It's something you end up feeling in your bones and it takes you back to another decade.

Anyone is welcome to hear the roar of a dragster engine Aug. 27 in downtown Massillon. It's the biggest night of the summer for the weekly cruise-in of custom and classic vehicles along First Street SE between Lincoln Way and Tremont Avenue SW.

Here are three things to know about Dragster Night:

1. Cacklefest

Joseph Immler, of Massillon, who organizes the event, isn't sure exactly how many vehicles and people will show up from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 27 but he expects quite a crowd. All summer until the end of September, Immler offers people to cruise into town Saturday evenings in their classic cars. He sees dozens of people each night, but on the special Dragster Night he's expecting well over 100 vehicles. Last year, 130 vehicles of all makes and models participated. The last Saturday of August is a big night "because of the dragsters," Immler said.

"I know people who have restored Cadillacs and classic cars, but dragsters, you just don't drive those, they have to be towed," Immler explained. "You fire it up and it's only going to run for four or five seconds and it's done."

But it's quite a sight to see and hear.

Dave Koffel Racing is expected to bring a dragster. Immler calls Koffel, a 1953 Washington High graduate who was honored as a WHS Distinguished Citizen in 2010, a drag racing icon.

If you're not a drag racing enthusiast and you're attending the event for the first time, you'll get to learn terms like "cacklefest" and other words associated with drag race cars, such as "pro stocks," "funny cars" and "gassers." What's a cacklefest? You'll learn at about 8:30 that night; but here's a hint: Cover your ears.

2. Blue Angels

The Blue Angels Hot Rod Club is expected to have its twin-engine dragster on display. The club, which originally was formed in the 1950s and now has a second generation of members, has an interesting story behind the organization and its second twin-engine dragster.

Members completed the dragster just a few years ago after discovering a piece of the car had been stored away for decades in the rafters of a garage in Canal Fulton. The piece sparked a reunion, a renewed interest among the younger generation, and, of course, building the twin-engine dragster.

Along with the dragsters, Immler is expecting cars, trucks and motorcycles Aug. 27. If it rains, he can't guarantee when there will be another Dragster Night, but the cruise-ins continue every Saturday night through Sept. 24.

3. Pull up your chairs, pack a picnic

The difference between a cruise-in and a car show, is no one needs to register and there's no cost. No trophies or awards are handed out, Immler explained. Anyone is welcome to literally cruise on in, and anyone is welcome to walk among the cars and ask vehicle owner questions.

"I call it 'run what you brung,'" Immler said.

He said some people bring chairs to sit next to their cars and even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy during some part of the evening. Many people check out restaurants and shops downtown.

"I and a lot of other people believe this one in Massillon is one of the better ones to go to because of the nice park-like setting," Immler said. "When it's real hot there's shade everywhere. Saturday night it was just gorgeous. A cool nice wind was blowing down the street."

If you want to talk cars, Immler and his fellow classic car collectors are happy to join in the conversation.

As far as drag racing, Immler said, some claim it all started after World War II and drivers would tell each other: "drag your car out I want to race you."

"They were drag racing on the street and it started to be pretty dangerous," he said.

Drag strips were built like the Dragway of Magnolia, and the rest is history.

"It's a fascinating sport," Immler said. "It's astounding what's happened to it up to this day."

If you're interested in learning more about drag racing in general, visit the National Hot Rod Association and National Street Rod Association websites at www.nhra.com and www.nsra-usa.com.

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